FEMANOLA v3.0 as a Tool to Predict Settlement-Induced Cracks in Masonry Walls
摘要
This paper introduces a finite element tool (FEMANOLA v3.0) developed for the nonlinear analysis of masonry walls subjected to ground settlements. The approach, specifically conceived for masonry structures, uses a heterogeneous modeling technique, i.e. bricks and mortar are meshed separately. In particular, bricks are modeled using elastic four-node elements, while mortar joints are represented as nonlinear interfaces with cohesive-frictional behavior, incorporating softening in tension and compression under the application of shear actions. Mortar interfaces are discretized through isogeometric four-node elements, ensuring that normal stresses along the interface direction are nullified. The reliability and precision of the model are verified by comparing the results obtained with some available in the existing literature, focusing on masonry walls subjected to settlement. These comparisons highlight the model ability to accurately predict the response of masonry walls subjected to ground settlement, including crack initiation, propagation, and failure mechanisms. FEMANOLA v3.0 thus provides a robust and efficient strategy for analyzing masonry structures subjected to settlement, offering key insights into the performance and failure mechanisms of historical masonry walls under various load conditions.